Brain tumours: incidence, survival, and aetiology

he term ''brain tumours'' refers to a mixed group of neoplasms originating from intracranial tissues and the meninges with degrees of malignancy ranging from benign to aggressive. Each type of tumour has its own biology, treatment, and prognosis and each is likely to be caused by different risk factors. Even ''benign'' tumours can be lethal due to their site in the brain, their ability to infiltrate locally, and their propensity to transform to malignancy. This makes the classification of brain tumours a difficult science and creates problems in describing the epidemiology of these conditions. Public perception generally fails to distinguish between different tumour subtypes and although treatments and prognosis may vary, the functional neurological consequences are frequently similar. This article will give an overview of the burden of brain tumours in the population, looking at the major subtypes where possible, in addition to giving a summary of current views on possible causes.